quote:

ORIGINAL: LadyEllen

Unless we can deal with the issues in our societies which lead to the abuse of opiates, I dont see who wins from eradicating the poppies.

Eradication of the supply will push prices on the street here much higher, meaning that addicts will have to commit more crime to secure the funds required for purchase. Equally, eradication will mean that ordinary Afghan farmers will have nothing of any value to earn a living with.

Right now, this appears to be a "loose-loose" situation.

The best bet I feel, should the reported scenario be correct, would be for our guys to take over the protection racket and bump the Taliban off the scene. Denied the protection monies and the revenue from the product, the Taliban should be weakened considerably, if the reasoning is that their continued success and presence is a result of their control of the drugs trade.

Interesting idea, Lady E, but I do not think that the Taliban
would give up such a lucrative business without a fight.

Once we are in control of 90% of the world's heroin, we can then control its supply to addicts. Addicts dont need to commit crime any more. The drug gangs, with all their shootings et al, go out of business on our streets.

And the purity of the supply could be controlled, rather than
having heroin cut with various fillers and poisons.

Hey, we could even put the stuff in the water supply, to keep the whole population happy with the shitstorms our stupid policies create.

E


Soma anyone?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Vendaval

Interesting ideas Merc, I have heard various scenarios for legalizing drugs before. 
Do you have any specifics on the outcome in areas where this approach has been tried?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mercnbeth

Vendaval,

I don't think its been tried anywhere. We'll be visiting one place in November, Amsterdam, that has "decriminalized" the use of many, if not all, drugs; although selling them is. Marijuana there is sold openly. People who use heroin or other drugs are considered "sick". They are given full support to quit and have many program options to do so; none of which is jail.

Right, treat addiction as a health problem not a criminal behavior.


A result is similar to the European situation with alcohol. Underage drinking isn't as much of a problem because there is no excitement in doing something forbidden or 'illegal'. The sanctioned marijuana sales provide a place for experimentation as well as access to a drug beneficial to many for health reasons.

Experimentation in a controlled environment makes more sense
than say, the interior of a vehicle where the driver and everyone
else gets loaded.


I'll use myself as an example. When I grew up the legal drinking age was 18. Once I turned 18 the "fun" and/or "cool" aspect was no longer there and much of the attraction was gone. The image of 'cool', whether it's alcohol, smoking, or drugs, is part of the thought process for the underage crowd as well as those who never grow out of that mentality.

Gee Merc, were you like a rebellious teenager or something? 


In no event is prison a problem solver for these problems. It would seem obvious to me that legalization provides a vehicle for tax revenue, as well as removing the hypocrisy of drug use violations compared to alcohol.

Definately, not to mention the cost of keeping an addict in jail to the taxpayers.


I think there are a few who post on CM living in Amsterdam, perhaps they can provide more insight.

I am hoping that a few of them will chime in and share their viewpoints. 

hee hee....Rebel with a cause! 

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mercnbeth

quote:

Gee Merc, were you like a rebellious teenager or something? 

 
I'm still a "rebellious teenager" regardless of the lies being spewed forth by any mirror!